But Doesn`t It All Sound Alike Anyway?

May 02, 1988

A roomful of monkeys at pianos for an eternity might be able to reproduce famous musical compositions. But copy claims are coming with a much quicker meter.

In the last seven years, no less than five major song writers have been sued on charges of stealing hits from fledgling artists. The number of copyright-infringement accusations that never make it to court are countless. Mick Jagger`s recent legal battle to prove he did not rip off ``Just Another Night`` seems to indicate that defending artistic integrity is becoming a cost of doing business in the world of pop songwriting.

``If you`re well-known, people stand up and take shots at you,`` said Jagger, after a New York jury ruled in his behalf. ``It`s one of those things in a litigious society.``

How right he is. Claims that Stevie Wonder swiped ``I Just Called to Say I Love You`` and that Morris Albert pinched ``Feelings`` are pending. Michael Jackson was found not guilty of stealing ``The Girl is Mine`` and the Bee Gees on appeal were absolved of borrowing ``How Deep is Your Love?`` George Harrison was found guilty, but ``subconsciously,`` of lifting ``My Sweet Lord`` from ``He`s So Fine.``

It`s not like it was in the old days. Crooner Rudy Vallee, who co-penned

``Betty Co-ed,`` once lamented that his car was stolen, but a box of his records sitting on the back seat was left on the curb.

Today`s rock idols could learn from the classical composers, who knew how to lift a tune with style-and impunity. They simply called it, ``Variations on a Theme by Mozart,`` or Paganini, or whomever, thereby saving reputations and fortunes in legal fees.